Acetylene-gas generator



Dec. 11% 1923. 1,478,285

P. H. LQTHER ET AL ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR Filed July 5. 19'22 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Eec. I18

P. H. LQTHER ET AL ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR Filed July 5, 1922 2 Sheets-Shet 2 Patented Dec. 13, 1923.

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PAUL HERMAN LOTHER AND J. LOUIS GRIsWoLD, or COLUMBUS, KANSAS; SAID ears- WOLD ASSIGNOB or- ONE-HALF or HIS RIGHT 'ro SAID LOTHER.

AoErYIJENE-oiis GENERATOR.

Application filed July 3, 1922. Serial No. 572,505.

To all whomit may concern:

lie it known that we, PAUL H. LUTHER and J. LoUIs GniswoLD, Citizens of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Cherokee and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements i11'ACtyle118G2tS Generators; and We herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had. to the accompanying drawings, which form part'ofthis specification.

This invention is a novel improvement in apparatus for generating acetylene gas for any desired uses. The object of the invention is to provide a very simple apparatus which will operate at a medium pressure, as low as a- 20 inch head of water; and in which all the gas will be kept cool; the

(res enerated will be automatically controlled by the amount of gas contained in the apparatus; in which the carbide containers can be easily removed and replaced; and which will not require emptying and cleaning of the tank.

In the accompanying drawings we have ronventionally illustrated an'apparatus embodying the invention andwill describe the invention with reference thereto, and summarize in the claims the novel features of construction and novel combinations of parts for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of the apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a front view, thereof.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line -4 Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 18 an enlarged view through one of the carbide chambers'and removable car-- bide holders therein.

The generating portion of the apparatus comprises a tank 1 which may be of any suitable form and size and is preferably open at top and closed at bottom. The tank is provided with an internal partition 2, at about mid-way its height, dividing the tank into an upper compartment A which may be open at top; and a lower closed compartment B which should be gas tight. The only communication between the compartments A and B is by means of a pipe 3 connected with an opening in the partition 2 and extendingalmost tothe bottom of the compartment B.

Arranged within the compartment B near the lower end thereof are one or more carbide chambers C preferably formed by cylinders 4 extending through the wall of chamber B and closed at their inner ends and having their outer ends closable by any suitable means. -As shown, the outer ends of the cylinders 4: are closed by covers P secured by y'okes P and screws 4 in the well known manner.

Tater is supplied to each compartment C by means of a pipe 5 which is connected with the chamber B near the topthereof and is preferably branched, each branch 5*, in the example shown, communicating with one of the chambers O through an opening in the outer end ofthe cylinder 4. Each branch 5 'is provided with a valve 5 so that the water can be cut off from any compartment C or admitted thereto at the will of the operator.

Carbide is placed in each chamber C, preferably as hereinafter explained, and when water is admitted to a chamber 0 gas is generated therein, atswhich time such chamber C'should-be tightly closed. The gas generated in each chamber Cescapes through a. pipe 6 connected with the top of the cylinder L, and extending through the chambers B and A, without communicating therewith. Each pipe 6 connects at the top with a pipe 6 which connects with a,

branch 7 of the pipe 7 leading to. a gas urifier 7 which may be of any suitable construction.

A valve 6 is placed in the pipe 7*, and a valve 6 'is placed in each pipe 6 adjacent its connection with the pipe 6 A return pipe 6 is connected with each pipe '6 at a point below the valve 6*. Each pipe 6 leads downwardly preferably through the chambers A and B and partition 2 adj acent the sides of the chambers A and B to a point near the bottom of the chamber B but outside of the chambers C. A pipe 6 is connected at the union of pipes 6 6 and 7 (between the valves. 6 and 6) and leads into the upper end of the chamber B as shown. 7

Each chamber C, or cylinder 4, is similarly connected by pipes 6, 6 7", 7 with the purifier; and each pipe 6 is connected with a return pipe 6 as shown.

The gas purifier 7 may be of any construction, we' preferably use a chemical purifier of any well known type. The purioperatively connected with the valve 5 of the water supply pipe leading to the related chamber C in such manner that both valves 6 and 5 may be opened or closed simultaneously. As shown the stem 6 of valve 6 has a crank 6 on one end connected by a rod 6 to a hand lever '51 connected to the stem of the valve 5". The lever 5 preferably has an extension 5 which when the valves are opened will project in front of the closure or door 4 of the related chamber 0 (or cylinder 4) in such manner that this chamber can not be opened to remove or insert carbide unless the lever 5 is first shifted to such position as will close valves 5 and 6, as indicated at the right hand side of Fig. 2. When the carbide is properly placed in the chamber and the chamber closed the lever 5 can be shifted so as to simultaneously open the valve 5 and6 and at the same time moving the portion 5' of the lever into position to (prevent open as indicated ing of the related chambers in Fig. 1 and at the left hand side of Fig. 2.

In each chamber C is placed a. series of carbide containers or compartments 10 (see Figs. 1 and 4) each of which contains a charge of carbide. The containers 10'are closed at bottom and open at top, and are preferably arranged in sets. The containers in each set have openings in their sides as at 10 but the openings in difierent containers are at different heights; thus, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the openings in the first container in the set is near the bottom thereof, and the openings in the other containers are successively higher upso that in the last container they are adjacent the top thereof. The object of this is to bring the carbide in the containers successively into action. When water is admitted into a chamber C it will first enter the container having the lowest opening and contact with the carbide therein and gas will be generated. As more water is admitted into the chamber it successively enters the containers and the carbide therein successively comes into action.

in operation the water is poured into the tank A until filled up to the water line. The. carbide containers are placed in the chambers C and the latter closed. Then the cock 5 in the pipe 5* connected. with one of the chambers C is opened and water admitted into such chamber, and contactingwith the carbide generates gas, valve 6 being previously opened. The generated gas escapes through the pipes 6, 6 7 7 through purifier 7 into back fire tank 8 and thence through the valve 9 to the point of utilization. Should there be an over-generation of gas the excess gas passes back through the pipe 6 into the chamber B thereby forcing the water in chamber B back through pipe 3. into chamber A until the water in the chamber B is lowered below the level of the pipe 5 whereupon the supply of water to the generating chamber is cut off thus stopping the generation of the gas.

When once properly charged our generator needsno further attention until all the carbide is used. The surplus gas in chamber B eventually passes up through pipe 6 to the purifier 7 and as the gas escapes from the chamber B water reenters it from the chamber A through the pipe 3 until it overflows through pipe 5 to a generating chamer. I

When no gas is being used, or when both valves 6 and 6 are closed, if there is further generation of gas in the related chamber C such gaswill flow from pipe 6 back through pipe 6 into'the lower end of the chamber B and collecting in said chamber B will force the water therefrom through pipe 3 back to chamber A as above described. Thus, no gas is wasted by over-generation.

Our generator is very simple, working under very low water pressure. All the gas pipes are placed on the inside and being surrounded by cold water insures cool gas. One outlet pipe. can supply water from the chamber B to several generator chambers. The water after exhausting the carbide in the first container or compartment gradually rises in the chamber C until it enters the next compartment and so on until all the carbide in the several compartments is used. Only one gas outlet pipe is necessary, and if any gas is generated after the main valves are closed such gas simply goes back into the lower gas chamber, and will force the water level down in such chamber without having to pass through it. The gas being cleaned in the purifier, it is therefore unnecessary to empty or clean the tank; all that is required being to supply sufiicient water to generate the gas. v

What we claim is:

1. In a gas generating apparatus of the character specified; a surplus gas chamber; a generating chamber extending within said surplus gas chamber, andhaving a removable clOSure; a gas outlet pipe for the generating chamber; a valve in said outlet pipe; a gas return pipe connected to the gas outlet pipe in front of said valve for returning the gas. to the surplus gas chamber; a water pipe from i the gas chamber to the generating chamber; a valve in said pipe; operablecOnnections between the valve in the gas outlet pipe and the valve in the said water pipe, whereby when one valve is opened the other is opened, and when one valve is closed the other is closed, substantially as described.

2. An acetylene gas generating apparatus comprising a Water supply chamber; a surplus gas chamber below the water supply chamber; a water pipe leading from the supply chamber into the lower end-of the sur-' plus gas chamber; a water-tight generating chamber projecting into the surplus gas chamber and accessible from the exterior of said apparatus; a water supply pip'eleading from the upper part of the surplus gas chamber into the generating chamber; a gas outlet pipe for said generating chamber, a valve in said outlet pipe, a gas return pipe interposed in said outlet pipe between the valve and the gas chamber and discharging into the lower end of the surplus gas chamher, the lower ends of said water pipe and of said gas return pipe being water sealed; a gas escape pipe connecting the top of the surplus gas chamber with the said gas outlet pipe at a point beyond said valve; a second valve in the gas outlet pipe beyond the connection of the escape pipe; whereby when both valves are opened the gas will be discharged from the apparatus; and when the first mentioned valve is closed gas from the generator will be directed into the surplus gas chamber; and when the second valve is closed gas will be returned into the gas chamber, thereby automatically cutting oil the supply of water to the generating chamber, substantially as described.

3. In a gas generating apparatus comprising a surplus gas chamber; a generating chamber projecting into said surplus gas chamber, and having a removable closure accessible from the exterior to said apparatus; a gas outlet pipe for the generating chamber; a valve in said outlet pipe; a gas return pipe connected to the gas outlet pipe in front or said valve and discharging into the lower end of the surplus gas chamber for returning the gas to said surplus gas chamber when the valve is closed; a water pipe from the gas chamber to the generating chamber; a valve in said pipe; link connections between the valve in the gas outlet pipe and the valve in the said water pipe; whereby when one valve is opened the other is opened, and when one valve is closed the other is closed; and a member operatively connected with the link whereby when both the valves are open the member is swung to obstruct access to the generating chamber, substanti ally as described.

i. A gas generating apparatus comprising a water supply chamber; a surplus gas chamber below the water supply chamber;

a water pipeleading from the supply cham her-into the lower end of the surplus gas chamber; a water-tight gas generating chamber projecting into the surplus. gas

' chamber andac'cessible from the exterior of interposed in said outlet pipe between the valve and the gas chamber and discharging into the lower end of the surplus gas chamher, said gas outlet pipe and gas return pipe extending through the surplus gas and water supply chambers and the gas escape pipe extendingthrough the water supply chamber, a gas escape pipe connecting the top of the'surplus gas chamber with the said gas outlet pipe at a point beyond said valve; a second valve in the gas outlet pipe beyond the connection of the gas escape pipe; whereby when both valves are opened the gas will be discharged from the apparatus; and when the first mentioned valve is closed gas from the generator will be directed into the surplus gas chamber and when the second valve is closed gas will be returned through the gas escape pipe into thev surplus gas chamber, thereby automatically cutting off the supply of water to the generating cham- 5. An acetylene gas generating apparatus comprising a water supply chamber; a surplus gas chamber below the water supply chamber; a water pipe leading from the supply chamber into the lower end of the surplus gas chamber; a water-tight generating chamber projecting into the surplus gas chamber and accessible from the exterior of said apparatus; a water supply pipe leading from the upper part of the surplus gas chamber into the generating chamber; a valve in said water supply pipe; a gas outlet pipe for said generating chamber, a valve in said outlet pipe, means for causing said valve and the valve in the water supply pipe to rotate in unison a gas return pipe interposed in said outlet pipe between the valve and. the gas chamber and discharging into the lower end of the surplus gas chamber, the lower ends of said water pipe and said gas return pipe being water sealed; a gas escape pipe connecting the top of the surplus gas chamber with the said gas outlet pipe at a pointbeyond said valve; a second valve in the gas outlet pipe beyond the connection of the gas escape pipe; whereby when all the valves are opened the gas will be discharged from the apparatus; and when the first two mentioned valves are closed the gas from the generator will be directed into the surplus gas chamber; and when the latter mentioned valve is closed gas will be returned through the gas escape "watersupply pipe; a gas outlet pipe for said. generating chamber, a second valve in said outlet pipe operable connections between said valve and said first invented valve to cause said valves to rotate in "unison; a gas return pipe interposed in said outlet pipe between the valve and the gas chamber, a gas escape pipe connecting the top of the surplus gas chamber with the said gas outlet pipe at a point beyond said valve; a third valve in the gas outlet pipe beyond the connection of the gas escape pipe; whereby when all, valves are opened the gas will the first and second mentioned valves are closed the gas from the generator will be directed into the surplus gas chamber; and when the third mentioned valve is closed the gas will be returned through the gas escape be discharged from the apparatus; and when 7 pipe into the gas chamber, thercbyiauto- V matically cutting off the supply of water to the generating chamber, and a lever for operating said operable connections and adapted to obstruct access to the generating V chamber when the first and second 1nen-,

tioned valves are open.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own, we aflix our signatures. 7

PAUL HERMAN LUTHER. J. LOUIS GRISW OLD. 

